Lightweight: Hallow Brothers, #7

By Tricia Andersen

Is this the end of the Hallow family?

The Hallows have been exiled from their home and the cell towers that sustained their income are burned to the ground. Their only hope rests on Caleb and Joshua who fly to Tokyo to plead for their contracts with LunaBit, the app company they work for. The night before their big meeting, Joshua is drawn to a stunning brunette at a bar. After a night of amazing, sensual sex, he wakes up alone, bearing the mating mark of his ancestors, similar to the ones his six brothers already share with their mates.

When the brothers finally meet with Maya Johansson, LunaBit's Vice President of the North American Division, Joshua discovers she is the woman who was his bed the night before. Maya holds secrets of her own, which includes being aware of what the tattoo she now bears means. She demands that Joshua returns to Los Angeles to negotiate the family's contracts with LunaBit. Joshua agrees, willing to do anything to protect his loved ones in Minnesota. However, can he withstand a fabricated marriage, tension with an ex-boyfriend, and a new father-in-law that is pure evil incarnate? And can he save the Hallows home before they all fall to the vampires who want them dead?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tricia Andersen
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201195335

Tricia Andersen

Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband and her three children.  She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.   For the past five years, Tricia has been a member of Hard Drive Performance Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an affiliate of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has experience in kickboxing and currently trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Even though she has never competed in an MMA cage, she’s witnessed and been a part of a fighter’s journey from fight camp to their walk to the cage. She also has competed in jiu jitsu. Learn more about Tricia Andersen and her books at www.triciaandersen.com.

Book preview

Dedication

To Momma. You were an amazing support and an even more incredible friend. You were one of the few people who I could be truly honest with. You have no idea how much I will miss you. I love you.

Chapter One

What just happened in that boardroom was a full on disaster as far as Joshua Hallow was concerned. Not one part of it was good. It was a bonafide shit show.

He slumped into a chair then buried his head in his hands. His older brother by a few months, Caleb, paced the lobby like he was stalking his opponent in the cage. Cay growled audibly as he shoved his hands in his slacks pockets and picked up his pace.

It was almost hard to take him seriously with the pastel cartoon characters mounted onto the wall behind him. Joshua recognized one of his own from a game he’d built three months ago. It was a bestseller.

After the all-out ass-chewing he’d just gotten in that conference room, it might be the last one he ever did.

They didn’t even fucking listen, Caleb snapped.

I know, Joshua replied.

It’s not our fault the apps crashed. We didn’t light our tower on fire.

Yeah, but are you about to tell the folks in that room, Joshua nodded to the door, that a bunch of vampire wannabes did it?

Caleb huffed. No. Have you called home?

Yep. The signal has been reestablished and guaranteed it won’t fail. One of the benefits of unfortunately living in civilization now I guess. Ezekiel and Dakota are at the reservation. The next news he had to share was a punch in the gut for him. They got hitched in Nashville.

For the first time in weeks, Caleb cracked a smile at Joshua. The lone survivor.

Shut the fuck up.

Hey, I mean, you can still have sex with any woman you want. The rest of us are stuck with our mates for eternity.

Joshua sat back then crossed his arms over his broad, muscular chest, trapping the only tie he had even owned against his dress shirt. Are you telling me that you want to fuck other women?

Caleb’s grin grew bigger. Nah, bro. The rest of us are living in matrimonial bliss. You’re the only sucker in single’s hell.

Thanks. Maybe we should go back to the hotel and get some shut-eye. We have a meeting first thing in the morning with the Vice President of the North American markets. From what I understand, he has the final word on whether or not our contracts are getting cut. We probably should be on our A-game.

Fuck that. I need a drink. Caleb spun on his toe and made his way to the glass doors that led from the building.

Thanks for the choice. Joshua hopped to his feet and hurried after him.

It took a moment for Joshua to pick his brother out of the crowd passing by. The brilliant colored neon lights of Tokyo lit up the street enough to find the arrogant asshole. Joshua hated the fact that everyone referred to the two of them as the twins. They may look alike but their personalities were polar opposites.

Cay, wait up, Joshua called as he jogged after him. Of course the asshole wouldn’t stop. Joshua picked up the pace.

There’s a bar on the top floor of our hotel. Let’s drink there, Joshua offered.

Caleb waved a hand over his head flippantly. I need a beer.

Joshua finally matched his brother’s stride. I’m sure they sell beer.

And I’m sure one of those bastards we just got done with will be there waiting for us to screw up. Probably the asshole from LA who gets to decide our fate. Nope. We’re going where we can get drunk in peace.

Drunk? Uh, no. One drink.

Caleb shot him a shit-eating grin then stopped. The amber glow from the wide paned window welcomed them. Wooden shelves of alcohol waited for them behind a polished bar. There were a handful of patrons inside sipping tumblers of liquid. The place looked well above their lifestyle.

Caleb grabbed the brass handle and pulled the door open. All the more reason he’d choose this place. With a heavy sigh, Joshua followed.

They found their refuge in a back corner. It was a little dimmer than the rest of the room. Caleb used his best Japanese to order them both whiskey and a bottle of beer.

So much for just one drink.

Once their beverages were delivered, the brothers sat in silence. Joshua sipped the bottle then caressed the cold glass. He wiped the damp sweat off with his thumb.

If we blow this, Meg will have to get a job, Caleb muttered as he stared at his glass. It’s not like I can get one. I’ve got our little family disability. And, of course, I’m an asshole.

Meg is a strong, independent woman. I’m sure that’s not a problem, Joshua replied then took another drink.

Yeah, but she can’t leave the reservation. The bloodsuckers will kill her the second she steps out. And she shouldn’t have to work. I should provide for her and our kids. What kind of husband am I if I can’t do that?

Joshua stared at him. He had to be slack jawed. The selfish Caleb Hallow didn’t want to go drinking for shits and giggles. He was genuinely worried about leaving his little family high and dry in a time when money was seriously going to be scarce for the entire Hallow family. They were trapped on Littlefoot’s reservation. The vampires were doing everything they could think of to smoke the werewolves and their loved ones out. The Hallows had the amulet. They had the Book of Elsayad. They had the Heka. They even had the stones.

In reality, they held the fate of the world within their pack. Everyone who knew of the legends knew that. How long could they keep the magical world at bay especially with no resources to speak of?

The thought sent chills up Joshua’s spine. He scooped up the tumbler of whiskey and tossed it down. It burned as it slid down his throat.

Suddenly he felt more than the warmth of alcohol. His heart thundered in his chest. His skin pebbled with goosebumps. There was a rage of heat and the rush of ice through him all at once. Lust coursed through his veins like he had never felt before. His cock thickened in his slacks, pressing against the zipper and threatening to snap it in two.

Whiskey had never had that effect on him before, It definitely wasn’t his first glass. Did the bartender slip him something? What the hell was wrong with him?

Bro? You okay? Caleb questioned. You’re flush all of a sudden.

I don’t know. I’m hot. I’m cold. And I’m horny as hell. I don’t get...

Before Joshua could finish, the door of the bar creaked open. The most beautiful woman Joshua had ever laid eyes on stepped in from the crowd outside. Her dark brown hair was almost ebony and cascaded down her back nearly to her waist. Her skin was perfect, smooth like ivory. Even in the crisp pressed business suit he could tell that she worked out. Her legs were toned and muscular beneath the hem of her skirt. Her curves, which sculpted the fabric of her clothing, nearly split the seams of Joshua’s pants. He didn’t think he could get any harder, but he did.

His mouth went dry as he watched her weave between the tables to the bar. It was obvious that she was a regular. The bartender had her drink in front of her before her luscious ass hit the stool.

The chuckling tore Joshua’s attention from the mystery woman. He turned back to Caleb. It was obvious that his older brother was fighting to keep himself in check.

What the fuck is your problem? Joshua demanded.

Caleb grinned at him then strained to look at the beauty at the bar. The great power hates your guts too, it seems.

Excuse me?

The hot, the cold, the lust. And the fact you can’t stop staring at that woman over there. Not bad. She’s sexy as hell. However, the guy behind the bar knew exactly what she’s drinking so that means she lives here in Tokyo, not back in the United States where we do. That’ll be fun to negotiate between the two of you. She’s going to claw your eyes out when you tell her she has to live in Minnesota.

Joshua scowled at him. We are not mated.

Not yet, kiddo. You got to do the dirty deed with her first before that can happen.

No dirty deeds are happening, Cay. We have our family to think about.

Caleb nodded to the bar. And I bet yours is over there. You can’t fight it, bud. It’s predestined, remember?

Joshua slammed down the rest of his whiskey then rose from his seat. And with that, I think it’s time to call it a night.

I’m not done yet, Caleb protested.

I trust you know where we’re staying. Don’t get too plastered drunk. Okay?

Caleb waved him off. Whatever.

Joshua glanced at the woman at the bar as he stormed across the room to the door. It felt like his entire being screamed in protest as he passed her. His cock certainly led the charge.  She looked up to meet his gaze. His heart slammed in his chest as he lost himself in the deep hazel of her eyes.

It didn’t matter. What he’d said to Caleb was the gospel fact. Their family needed them more than ever right now. He couldn’t let some one night stand swerve him off that path.

Joshua stepped out onto the sidewalk and wove through the foot traffic. His body began to ache with each step he took. The pain was almost unbearable and got worse with each step away from the bar. He stopped to lean against the wall of a building. He didn’t know how long he was there. It was long enough to watch his brother pass by without acknowledging him.

Caleb walked in a straight line and seemed semi-sober. Good boy for listening.

It was unfortunate that Joshua was about to be a very naughty lad. He couldn’t control it. Something had a hold on him and no matter what he did, he couldn’t shake its grip.

With a deep, guttural growl, he launched off his toes in the direction of the bar.

MAYA SIPPED THE GLASS of wine she had ordered then set it back on the bar. She fought the urge to squirm in her seat. This sort of action was beneath her. She wasn’t some anxious teenager anymore for fuck’s sakes.

Except the overwhelming sensation came over her before she touched the handle to the door of her favorite bar. The place was her one guilty pleasure. Everything else in her life was structure, order, discipline. She didn’t have the option of letting herself go. There were people around her that wanted to see her fail, to fall from the heights that she’d poured her blood, sweat and tears into to reach. They would literally kill to witness it happen. The first to come to mind used to share her bed with her.

She wouldn’t give any of them the satisfaction.

She bit back a hiss as she flinched. There it was again. That feeling deep in her core, one she couldn’t ignore. It had been a long time since she’d last had sex. The wide variety of toys in her bedside table could attest to that.

However, she had never felt arousal like this before. It was an all-consuming need to fuck. She tried to concentrate on the events of the evening. What had gotten her to this point?

She took a sip of wine as she lifted her head. She swallowed the liquid quickly as her stare met one that stole her breath away. She couldn’t tear herself away from the sapphire blue gaze to take in the man it belonged to. He looked like he had just come home from the office. The thin fabric didn’t hide his hard, muscular frame. The linen sculpted around him like a second skin. His thick, dark hair was neatly combed. It made her want to dig her fingers into it and pull it.

She could have sworn she saw him wink at her before he strode out the door.

The engulfing lust twisted itself into an overwhelming ache. She didn’t know the guy, yet her heart and soul didn’t want him to leave. Truthfully, they wanted her wrapped tight around him as he drove himself deep inside her.

She glanced in the direction that he had come from. Another man sat at the table in the corner. The two of them looked nearly identical. The guy at the table shook his head then chugged his beer. After tossing back the glass of whiskey on the table, he paid his waitress and left as well.

She uncrossed her legs then reversed them. The agony was unbearable. Unfortunately, repositioning herself didn’t help. She scooped up her glass and took a gulp of her wine.

Maya tried to get her thoughts in order. She hadn’t expected to get called to Tokyo so soon. She’d just been promoted to Vice President two weeks ago. The memory doused her need a little. She was the only woman to apply for the position. She knew it was a long shot but she’d never wanted anything more in her life.

Little did she know that her boyfriend of three months had applied as well. Chaz took her on expensive vacations. He made reservations at the fanciest restaurants. His desire was insatiable. He’d almost distracted her from concentrating on the job.

Almost was the key word. She was laser focused on it. When the news hit their company that she’d gotten it, he dropped her, fast.

She let go a sigh to herself. Guess she wasn’t a long shot after all. Chaz knew well enough to attempt to seduce her out of it.

She plucked the glass from the bar top and downed the remnants. The lust roared back in full force. It was time to go home and relieve herself of this torture. Maybe she’d think of her hot mystery man while she did. Besides, she had a huge meeting in the morning. Her first meeting in the morning was to discipline a bunch of contractors who’d dropped the ball more than once. It had cost her firm millions each time.

Her boss wanted her to slap them on the wrist. They were a huge investment the company couldn’t afford to lose. That wasn’t Maya’s thinking. It was time to cut these assholes loose. She could find designers who could get the job done without any flimsy excuses.

Maya gave the bartender a small smile as she nudged her platinum card across the wood. She felt like she was on fire. She didn’t want it to stop.

An arm brushed hers as whoever possessed it settled onto the stool next to hers. She turned to find herself lost in that deep blue gaze, the one responsible for her delicious misery.

The man cocked his head at her as he spoke. It was impossible for Maya to ignore that he was thick and hard. The bulge of it was outlined by his dress slacks. With size like that, he had to be able to please a woman. She certainly wanted to find out.

Mind if I sit here? he questioned.

She licked her bottom lip. It wasn’t of her own free will. Of course. It’s free.

Thank you. He offered his hand to her. I’m Josh.

Maya. She took his offered hand and shook it. The firmness of his fingers on hers made her shiver. Fantasies of him touching her all over filled her mind. She had to get her head on straight.

She cleared her throat. What brings you here, to Tokyo?

Josh waved down the bartender and asked for a glass of whiskey. His Japanese was nearly fluent even though he was clearly American. He turned back to her. Business.

So, not pleasure.

Nope, unfortunately. He picked up the tumbler that was delivered to him and took a sip. How about you?

Same. Business.

Oh, that’s too bad. Hubby had to stay home, huh?

She smiled at him. No hubby, no boyfriend. I’m an independent woman. Frightened?

Josh grinned at her. Hardly.

Maya slid the tip of her index finger across the hand that Josh had lying on